The more eggs you eat, the greater the risk of heart disease, according to the latest research.

by LINDSEY TANNER AP Medical Writer

The latest US egg research will not be easier for those who can not eat breakfast without them.

Adults who ate about 1 1/2 eggs a day had a slightly higher risk of heart disease than those who did not eat them. The study showed that the more eggs there were, the greater the risk. The chances of dying early were also high.

Researchers say the culprit is cholesterol, found in egg yolks and other foods, including crustaceans, dairy products and red meat. The study is focused on eggs because they are among the most consumed foods, high in cholesterol. They can still be part of a healthy diet, but in smaller amounts that many Americans are used to, say the researchers.

US diet guidelines that have relaxed cholesterol limits have allowed eggs to come back.

The study has limitations and contradicts recent research, but may rekindle the longstanding debate about eggs.

The new findings were published online Friday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

L & # 39; STUDY

Researchers at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and other sources have combined results from six previous studies, badyzing data from nearly 30,000 US adults who reported daily food intake. Participants were followed for approximately 17 years on average.

The researchers calculated that those who ate 300 milligrams of cholesterol a day – about 1 1/2 eggs – were 17% more likely to develop heart disease than those who did not eat it.

The researchers based their findings on what participants said they ate at the beginning of each study. They took into account hypertension, smoking, obesity and other characteristics that may contribute to heart problems. Risks have been found with eggs and cholesterol in general; a separate badysis was not performed for each cholesterol-rich food.

Dr. Bruce Lee, of Johns Hopkins University, said that nutrition studies were often weak because they relied on the memory of people who ate.

"We know that the food recall can be terrible," Lee said. The new study provides only observational data, but does not show that eggs and cholesterol have caused heart disease and death, said Lee, who did not participate in the research.

Lead author Norrina Allen, a specialist in preventive medicine, noted that the study lacked information on whether participants ate boiled eggs, poached, fried or mixed with butter, which could affect the health risks.

Some people think "I can eat as many eggs as I want," but the results suggest that moderation is a better approach, she said.

DEBATE

Eggs are an important source of dietary cholesterol, previously thought to be strongly related to blood cholesterol and heart disease. Older studies suggesting that this link had resulted almost a decade ago in nutritional guidelines recommended not to consume more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day; an egg contains about 186 milligrams.

Recent research has challenged this relationship, concluding that saturated fats contribute more to the unhealthy levels of blood cholesterol that can lead to heart problems.

The latest US Government Nutrition Guidelines, 2015, have removed the strict daily cholesterol limit. Although it is still recommended to eat as little cholesterol as possible, the recommendations indicate that eggs can still be part of a healthy diet, as a good source of protein, with lean meat, poultry, beans and beans. nuts. Nutrition experts say the new study will probably not change this view.

LOWER LINE

Dr. Frank Hu of Harvard University noted that most previous studies had shown that the consumption of a few eggs a week was not related to the risk of heart disease in generally healthy people.

"I do not think this study would change the general guidelines for healthy eating" that focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans and limiting processed meats and sugar, Hu said. Eggs, a staple for many, can be included, but other options should also be considered, such as whole grain toast with nut butter, fresh fruit and yoghurt, added Mr. Hu.

Dr. Rosalind Coleman, professor of nutrition and pediatrics at the University of North Carolina, gave more comprehensive advice.

"The main message for the public is not to select a type of food as" bad "or" good "but to evaluate your total diet in terms of variety and quantity.

"I'm sorry if that sounds like a boring recommendation," she added, but for most people, the most important diet advice "should be to maintain a healthy weight, to make a difference." exercise and get enough sleep ".

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The Health and Science Department of the Associated Press is receiving support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.